What is the Difference Between Viral and Nonviral Vectors
The key difference between viral and nonviral vectors is that viral vectors are genetically engineered viruses that act as gene delivery vehicles in delivering foreign genetic material into cells by using their viral genome, while nonviral vectors are chemical vectors such as inorganic particles, lipid-based vectors, polymer-based vectors, and peptide-based vectors and act as gene delivery vehicles in delivering foreign genetic material into cells.
In gene therapy, foreign genetic materials are introduced into a patient in order to treat a genetic disease.